HD Lithium Battery
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Durham, North Carolina
HD Lithium Battery
Last year my lead battery started giving me grief, (2016 Ultra), so I went to the dealership, to see about a new one. After talking with a couple of folks there, (not all of them were behind the counter). I put in one of the new LiCo3 batteries. "Plug and Play install, dealership took back the old battery.
So we had a temperature drop last nite, and i went out Saturday AM, and for the first time i got a 'slow crank' response AND my radio wouldn't come on. All the lights worked, I rode Friday, (to a wake for a club member's wife),so i was on for about 30~45 minutes going and the same heading home). The gauge read 13~14 positive charge the entire time. Today after it started i was on the road for about 15 minutes. stopped and worked from 8:30 ~ 1215, went out, bike started right up and the radio lite right up and worked too!
any ideas? harbinger of greater issue coming?
So we had a temperature drop last nite, and i went out Saturday AM, and for the first time i got a 'slow crank' response AND my radio wouldn't come on. All the lights worked, I rode Friday, (to a wake for a club member's wife),so i was on for about 30~45 minutes going and the same heading home). The gauge read 13~14 positive charge the entire time. Today after it started i was on the road for about 15 minutes. stopped and worked from 8:30 ~ 1215, went out, bike started right up and the radio lite right up and worked too!
any ideas? harbinger of greater issue coming?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
The lithium batteries do not like cold temperature. I would not use one on my bike.
lithium needs to stay with phones, tablets, computers..
I dont believe they are ready for street use yet with todays technology.
lithium needs to stay with phones, tablets, computers..
I dont believe they are ready for street use yet with todays technology.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
as EVOrider says, they don't like cold. if it is cold out, you have to warm the battery up first. turn on your lights for a minute before you go to crank. this is not a problem, it is just a characteristic of the battery.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 607
Likes: 107
From: Dark Side of the Moon
LiCo3? That's a new one. I've had an Antigravity (LiFe) battery in my Sporty for about 4 years now and it's been great, with no issues. As mentioned, you need to warm up the battery a bit in cold temps. I usually turn on the IGN first thing. By the time I get all my gear on, it cranks right up. Don't worry about the charge rate on your gauge, as the lithium batteries have a normal charge of just a tick under 14v.
Don't use your regular battery tender on your new battery, it'll screw it up fast. You might not need one, but if you have security and other stuff needing constant power, get a tender specific to your battery.
Don't use your regular battery tender on your new battery, it'll screw it up fast. You might not need one, but if you have security and other stuff needing constant power, get a tender specific to your battery.
Last edited by Ex-Leftcoaster; Nov 3, 2019 at 06:32 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
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From: Beyond Fucital
I'm a sucker for new **** but I'm also cheap so I'll stick with the stock battery.
The thing about the Lithium batteries (any Lithium battery) is they don't give and early warning that they're about to die, they just stop working.
The thing about the Lithium batteries (any Lithium battery) is they don't give and early warning that they're about to die, they just stop working.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 2,484
From: Lititz Pa
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
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From: Illinois
Had a Shorai in my built 106 Dyna for about 2 years+ before I sold it, without any issues and buddy with Road Glide built stroker 106 is going on 4 years w/ zero issues and cranks right up. They have badass cranking and weight only 4 lbs. Both of us had the Shorai chargers.
100% will be going with Shorai or Anti Gravity for my next battery.
100% will be going with Shorai or Anti Gravity for my next battery.
Last edited by HD Bobber; Nov 3, 2019 at 09:46 PM.